01 / 13
Family Law
Legal matters involving spouses, parents, children and other family relationships.
May include
- Divorce or separation
- Child custody and support
- Adoption or protective orders
Legal guide · 01
Understanding practice areas.
You do not need to know the exact legal term before you begin. Use the situation you are facing to find a useful starting point.
How to use this guide
A legal problem may involve more than one area. Choose the description that feels closest, then ask the attorney whether they handle your specific issue.
02 / 13
Criminal Defense
Representation for a person accused of a crime or facing a criminal investigation.
May include
- Arrest or criminal charge
- DWI or traffic-related offense
- Probation or record questions
03 / 13
Immigration
Questions about entering, remaining in or becoming a citizen of the United States.
May include
- Visas and residency
- Citizenship and naturalization
- Removal or family petitions
04 / 13
Estate Planning
Planning how your affairs, property and health-care decisions should be handled.
May include
- Wills and trusts
- Powers of attorney
- Advance health-care directives
05 / 13
Personal Injury
Claims involving physical or emotional harm caused by another person or organization.
May include
- Vehicle collisions
- Unsafe property conditions
- Workplace or product injuries
06 / 13
Business Law
Legal needs connected to starting, operating, buying or closing a business.
May include
- Business formation
- Contracts and agreements
- Ownership or commercial disputes
07 / 13
Labor and Employment
Rights and responsibilities in the workplace for employees and employers.
May include
- Discrimination or harassment
- Pay and overtime
- Termination or workplace policies
08 / 13
Mediation
A structured process in which a neutral mediator helps people try to resolve a dispute outside court.
May include
- Family disagreements
- Workplace or business disputes
- Civil settlement discussions
09 / 13
Real Estate
Legal matters involving land, homes, commercial property and property agreements.
May include
- Purchase or sale disputes
- Leases and landlord-tenant matters
- Titles, boundaries or construction
10 / 13
Bankruptcy
Federal legal processes for people or businesses dealing with debt they cannot manage.
May include
- Chapter 7 or Chapter 13
- Creditor collection activity
- Business debt restructuring
11 / 13
Probate
The legal process for handling a person’s property and obligations after death.
May include
- Administering an estate
- Validating or contesting a will
- Heirship and asset distribution
12 / 13
Civil Litigation
Court disputes between people, businesses or organizations that are not criminal cases.
May include
- Contract disputes
- Property or financial claims
- Injunctions and civil trials
13 / 13
Other Legal Matters
Legal needs that do not fit neatly into one of the categories above or may cross several areas.
May include
- Tax or administrative matters
- Appeals and specialized disputes
- Unclear or overlapping legal issues
Still not sure?
Start with the facts, not the label.
Briefly describe what happened, when it happened and what outcome you need. An attorney can tell you whether the matter fits their work.
Explore all attorneysThis guide provides general public information, not legal advice. Practice-area descriptions are broad, and an attorney’s inclusion in the directory does not mean they are right for a particular matter.